As cruise tourism has revived around the world, despite the limitations imposed by Omicron variant of Covid-19, Saudi Arabia is focusing on this segment to boost its tourism industry. It has launched an e-visa service for cruise tourists and says it will invest up to USD 200 billion and to welcome 100 million visitors by 2030, to boost tourism in the country.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an e-visa service for cruise tourists. Tourism is one of the most important means of revenue for the country and it plays a key role in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan for economic diversification.

The authorities have also planned to invest up to USD 200 billion in the sector and welcome over 100 million visitors by the year 2030. The country’s Vision 2030 aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to its GDP by 10 pc. Apart from increasing travel and tourism’s contribution to the GDP, Saudi Arabia also aims at creating additional 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in the sector by creating additional tourism facilities such as hotels.

Madinah-based University of Prince Murgin signed a deal with Cruise Saudi, an affiliate of the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign fund of the Kingdom, to train national cadres in the tourism field. As per the deal, young Saudis will be offered professional programmes in various tourism specialisations. It aims to develop capabilities of the local workforce for the cruise industry, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, signed an agreement in November 2022 with MSC Cruises and Cruise Saudi to provide 20,200 seats on its flights from Europe and North America to Jeddah.

The country has also set up a multi-agency tourist facilitation centre to assist cruise tourism development, including foreign yacht owners, as well as local agents in both Arabic and English, helping them to enter the Saudi waters. These measures come as a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to reinforce tourism through marine activities.